<p>Hey guys.. This college admission thing is driving me crazy. I'm hoping you guys could guide me ... tell me about my chances at the colleges, and if possible, suggest me some colleges which are good and can provide aid, coz asking for aid the colleges I mentioned (except Cornell), is SEVERELY damages our chances, right?</p>
<p>Colleges I wish to apply to: (In order of preference.)
Cornell, Stanford, Columbia, Northwestern, GAtech, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and Purdue.</p>
<p>Nationality: Indian
School: Most competitive in my state.</p>
<p>Academics:
Class 9: 84% (1st in class)
Class 10: 93% (2nd in class)
Class 11: 90%(2nd in class)
Class 12: Exams not held yet.</p>
<p>SAT 1:
Math: 700
Reading:690
Writing: 710
<strong><em>Caveat: (Yes I realize my scores are low. I am taking the test again in October, and I can say with a lot of confidence that my projected score is 2200+. I can say that because I've been taking Full Practice Tests from Barron's, and have been scoring 2200+ consistently. HOWEVER, I expect you to chance me at 2100)</em></strong></p>
<p>SAT 2: Taking in November.</p>
<p>PASSION:
I have TWO major interests. I don't have a 'laundry-list' as MIT admissions calls, I merely excel in two areas.
1. Music.
2. Debate.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>MUSIC.
I've been passionately involved in music, for the past ten years. I started learning the guitar when I was 7, and I learned piano when I reached the age of 10. Today I am 17, I have two Music Albums under my belt that I have produced with my band. I have been a member of my school band for 7 years now, and have taken part in innumerable competition. I was only 11 when I won my first nation-wide rock band competition. I am really very passionate about music, and not a day has passed that I haven't taken out time to play my instruments, interspersed with studies.</p></li>
<li><p>DEBATE
I love speaking. Public-speaking gives me a sort of high, and I am totally addicted to it. I believe in dialectic argumentation, and in reaching conclusions through discussion. I started taking part in debating competition when I was in 7th grade. I began my debating pursuit, with winning the inter-house competition. After that, the victories didn't stop.
I stood second in a National Debating Competition (Highly Prestigious), and recently I stood 1st in a Debating Competition Organized by Navatas, prize given by Ex-Aus cricketer Steve Waugh.
I have won many other competitions, but the above two are really worth mentioning, the rest are state-level.</p></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>That ends my 'what I am passionate about' part.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now finally my extra-curricular activities:
--->NSS
I am a member and active volunteer at the NSS.
National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government-sponsored programme under the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. It was started in 1969.
This programme is to inculcate the social welfare thoughts in the students, and to provide service to the society without any prejudice. NSS volunteers work hard day and night to ensure that every one in our society who is needy gets the every possible help from them so that they can also enhance their standards and lead a life of dignity in the society with all of us. In doing so the volunteers themselves learn a lot from the people in villages like how to struggle and how to lead a happy life in the extreme scarcity of resources and so on. personality development through social service.
Camps are conducted annually. The camp is fully funded by the Government of India. The camp is usually located in a rural village or in suburbs. Volunteers may involve in:
1. Cleaning 2. Afforestation 3. Stage shows or Procession creating awareness on social problems, education, cleanliness etc 4. Inviting doctors for health camps.</p>
<p>-->Leadership
My school has about 2000 students. Four Captains are elected in the Senior Year, for the four houses. Each house has 500 students. The students vote for their house captain. I had the honour of being elected the captain of my house. It was more than a leadership experience. I was to command and nurture the students of my house, and take care of each one, listen to their problems, maintain discipline etc etc.</p>
<p>Miscellaneous Community Work:
- Thalassemic Ward in City Hospital
Took care of the patients, and spend 200+ hours in their service.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Rotary Club Old Age Home
More than 100+ hours of service here. Entertained the people at the old age home, by playing the guitar and singing songs, and more often, talking to them.</p></li>
<li><p>School Environment Club
Part of a school club that promotes Environmental Sustainability. Initiated and organized many protest marches again deforestation, and took the matter with the Governor of the State.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Thank you everyone. I'll chance you back, if you chance me. Please express your absolute honest appraisal, if you expect the same from me.
Many thanks.</p>